Is makeup akin to wearing a burqa? Photo: galleryhip

A reader by the name of Lady Diazepam made an interesting comment in response to a blog I wrote last month about the stigma of obesity at work. She wrote about a time when she was languishing at the bottom of the office hierarchy. But as soon as she “lost weight and started wearing makeup again, there was a marked improvement” in the way managers treated her. She was even given a better job.

It was the second part of her comment that was especially intriguing – the part about wearing makeup. How necessary is it for women to apply this stuff every day? And to what degree does our culture compel them to do so?

Until one hundred years ago, makeup was used primarily by prostitutes.

For many women, the answer is a resounding yes to the question of its necessity. Hence why they’re seen dabbing away in the car while stopped at traffic lights, why they squeeze in last-minute touches on the train and why they pop into the bathroom to reapply their lipstick before an important meeting.

– James Adonis

Source: Makeup is compulsory